Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat

Saturday was date night and Clavin and I went to a local production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat produced by the Heritage Players of Pine City .  We had a few drinks at Chubby's in Pine City and then went to the show. 

I have seen a lot of productions and I have to say this one was AWESOME!

Sarah and Clavin on the patio of Chubby's.

Clavin relaxing with a cool drink.

Sarah.

Bloody Mary anyone?

After the performance ended we went outside and realized that it had just poured down rain.  This was what the sky looked like to the west.

A pretty scary storm cloud.

Toddler Town Daycare

This was a special week at daycare and every day had a different theme.  Monday was "Pajama Day", Tuesday was "Crazy Hair and Clothes Day" and Thursday was "Dress-up Day".  The kids were a buzz of energy every day!

Crazy Hair and Clothes Day.

My little Fairy Princess!

Wings and all.

We're Gonna Win Twins, We're Gonna Score...

..we're gonna win Twins the pennant's what we're shooting for.

Fairview sponsored a Twins game for employees and family members.  We boarded coach buses and rode to Target Field.

The Twins celebrated "Burt Blyleven Day" and retired his jersey, #28, in honor of his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  It was neat to be there for the ceremony and then after the game the first 20,000 fans received baseballs to commemorate the event as well.

It was hot that day, the heat index was 112 F so it was a challenge to stay cool and hydrated.  But in spite of the weather we had a great time and enjoyed our first time at the new ball park.

The Twins even beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3!

Gabriella, Clavin and Kyle relaxing on the bus ride.

Target Field.

Clavin, Gabriella, Kyle and Sarah.
Go Twins!

Do you think that nacho can fit in that mouth?

Kyle and Clavin enjoying some ball park snacks before the game.

Gabriella and Kyle with Twins Mickey Mouse.

Clavin and Kyle.

Target Field.

The Kansas City Royals warming up.

The Twins on the field.

Kyle and Gabriella trying to stay cool and hydrated.

The view from our seats.

Gabriella's First Haircut!

Gabriella has finallly had her first haircut.  I took her to Rob's Place Salon in Pine City where both Grandma and I get our hair cut. 

She barely had the ends trimmed, but it was definately time.  She sat real still - maybe the sucker had something to do with it : )

I'm not quite sure what to think of this...

... maybe not too bad afterall.

All done and oh so cute!

Later that day she had to tell everyone she met that she got her hair cut.  She would even tell the "Rob did it."

The Public Library

Gabriella enjoyed her first visit to the Hinckley Branch of the East Central Regional Public Library.  She loved all the books and toys.  Now, every time we go she wants to bring home more books than either of us can carry.

Kyle's Fireworks Display.

Kyle, like nearly every 11 year-old boy I've known, loves fireworks. 

Every year he talks Grandma into going fireworks shopping with him.  You must browse every table and watch the demonstration videos before making any decisions.  This is quite a process.  Then when he gets home he plans the order of which they will be lit to maximize our enjoyment, ending of course with one grand finale to out-do the previous year. 

This year the main attraction was called "Big Foot:.  It did not disappoint either.  Big Foot exploded into a spray of colors and directions, with just the right amount of sparkle and noise and was an eye-pleasing treat for about two minutes in total.  Other features of the night were "Stinger", "P.O.W. Flare", and "The Tank", add in a few firecrackers and some bottle rockets and it was awesome.

Kyle getting excited to start the show!

"Am I far enough away?"

Stinger.

Big Foot.

More Big Foot.

Fireworks and Independence Day

Grand Casino Hinckley puts on a great fireworks display on July 3rd.  We took the kids to Dairy Queen for an ice cream treat and then found a spot to watch fireworks.  Grandma and Grandpa were there with Jonathan too.  Neither Gabriella or Jonathan liked the noise so they both took shelter in safe arms.

Much safer to watch from Grandpa's truck on Daddy's lap!
Daddy and Gabriella

"Grandma cover my ears." 
Kyle, Grandma and Jonathan

Ooohhh...

... Ahhhh

Wow!

A Family Picnic at Jim and Margaret Irons'

Jim and Margaret Irons hosted a family picnic for the July 4th weekend at their home in Aitkin.  They have a beautiful house on Cedar Lake.  As always, there was lots of great food and many stories and laughs shared by all the relatives.

The weather was beautiful and everyone enjoyed being outdoors.  The kids played with water balloons and later in the afternoon a group went down to the lake and swam.



The Irons' home.



Gabriella at the top of the stairs leading from the deck to the lake.

Watermelon on a warm summer day!

The cousins devising a plan for a water balloon attack.

Working out the details...

Taking a break for watermelon.

Sitting in the shade watching the lake. 
Gabriella, Crystal, Randy, Rose, Annie, Carol, Sharon, David

Margaret, Shawn, Jeanne

Jim and Margaret

Kyle Gabriella and Mom.



No electricity!

Saturday morning and still no electricity.  After call East Central Electric we find out that there are over 13,000 customers without power and Hinckley is not even one of the worst hit areas.  They estimate at least 36 hours before power will be restored.

The little drinking water we bought at the store is not going to last us.  We need to be able to wash up and flush toilets, not to mention drink and cook.  We decided to drive our four wheelers to the shack and use the old fashioned hand pump to draw water for the next couple of days.

Clavin, Kyle, Laura, Imogene and I headed up with our four wheelers and trailers with water containers.  We had to stop and chainsaw through two different places in the road to get through.  It was hot and we were all tired from sawing and moving logs.  The mosquitoes and deer fly where thick!

We got the the shack and the pump drew water right away.  We took turns because it's hard work.  Man am I thankful for electricity and running water.  You never realize how much you use it until you don't have it!

Sarah pumping water.

Clavni and Kyle working on it as a team.

Getting ready for the next bucket.
Clavin, Kyle and Imogene

Even Imogene pumped for a while.

Laura working hard at the pump too.